2 inches more in height- shoes??

[everylastbreath]

Need to get my GS up to 40 inches to get on a couple of rides at Universal (specifically Spiderman & Simpsons Ride) Neither is a fast rollercoaster type ride and I think he will be fine on them, would never try to get him on anything that he might get hurt on, anyone know of any sneakers/watershoes/crocs anything that might give us a little more height? I know I've read this problem before and people have suggest sneakers, but I can't remember which ones.

Anyone?

 

[ERMama]

I think any brand with a thick sole would work.
I did stuff my oldest sons shoes with napkins last trip to get him on SpaceMt and Test Track but he was only under by maybe a quarter of an inch and hes just a really short kid for his age.

 

[abandcsmom]

My 6 yo is short for her age, too, and we are definitely buying thick soled shoes if needed before the trip. She is 43.5" now and with her slow growth record, she won't grow .5" in 3 months. She is already hyped up about getting to ride all the mountan roller coasters.

 

[mjkacmom]

Heely's - just make sure to take the wheels out!

 

[ERMama]

just to add, do not put him on anything that someone else in the group hasnt been on first. sure he may be tall for his age but it doesnt mean the ride is right for him. and yes he may enjoy the ride but 2 inches is still quite a bit to "fake".
if it were a short for age older kid its somewhat more understandable. but im guessing this is for your gs who will literally just be turning 3 on the trip. my 3.5 yo is a daredevil but theres still some 40 inch rides i wont let him on (dinosaur for example)

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Need to get my GS up to 40 inches to get on a couple of rides at Universal (specifically Spiderman & Simpsons Ride) Neither is a fast rollercoaster type ride and I think he will be fine on them, would never try to get him on anything that he might get hurt on, anyone know of any sneakers/watershoes/crocs anything that might give us a little more height? I know I've read this problem before and people have suggest sneakers, but I can't remember which ones.

Anyone?

Kind of OT, but ER Mama's post brought back painful memories - but have you ridden the Spiderman ride? My DD5 was three when we went to Universal, but she was over 40 inches. I didn't know much about Universal and thought the ride wouldn't be too bad since the height restriction was only 40 inches. Spiderman is fast, loud, jerky, fiery, and generally scary. My then 7-year old even hid her face in my shoulder, and DD5 still doesn't even like to see pictures of Spiderman two years later! It is a well-themed ride, but it was scarier than Terminator and way scarier than other 40 inch restricted rides, so be forewarned if you have not ridden it. As far as the height restriction, I'm guessing it is so kids don't slide out of the seat as the ride jerks (similar to Dinosaur - dark and jerky).

I have not ridden Simspons, so I can't comment about that one.

 

[crisi]

Height restrictions are there for safety and both at Universal and Disney a good attendant (Universal doesn't call them CMs) will check shoe height and won't let a child shorter than the height without shoes ride.

Both Spiderman and the Simpsons (I've been on both of them) are very jerky rides. They aren't rollercoasters, but that doesn't mean your grandson couldn't get hurt.

 

[deedeetoo]

I have to echo the warning of others. My ds who is 7 was scared enough by Spiderman that he wouldn't go on again. I think by your signature you are talking about a 3 yo. I would not take a 3 yo on that ride even if he was tall enough.

The Simpsons ride isn't quite as scary- there are no bad guys, but there are several simulated roller coaster drops where it seems like you are headed straight down. My ds7 loved this ride. I'm not sure how a 3 yo would do.

 

[toystorymom]

I don't know...2 inches is alot to make up, those would have to be some high shoes and it may be quite obvious to an attendant who is paying attention.

Have to agree, while Spiderman isn't a roller coaster it is quite jerky and rough. Many of the "virtual" rides at Universal/IOA made me a little (or a lot) queasy and this one was no different. DH and my son (9) thought it was the greatest ride ever, myself and my other son (6) could only ride it once. I personally wouldn't take a 3 year old on it.

Also, for what it's worth, they are very strict with the height requirements, at least in our experience. My 9 year old was measured several times by the ride attendant at Dueling Dragons and was so close they actually called a manager over to double check. In the end, he was turned away, and he was literally a hair to short. He was a grump for the rest of the day but those rules are there for safety.

 

[santa's surpriz]

My daughter was 1.5 inches short of few rides last year at WDW. Funny thing is after her princess makeover, she gained two inches in her hair...no one questioned her after that! I would never do anything that put DD5 in harm's way, she is an adrenaline junky and loves the added fun!

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

I would say he will just have to wait until the next trip when he is taller. Ride restrictions are in place for the safety of the rider. If your (grand)child isn't tall enough with their regular everyday shoes on then that ride is not for that child.

People were once cought trying to stuff icecream sandwiches into a childs shoes to make said child taller.

 

[livndisney]

I would say he will just have to wait until the next trip when he is taller. Ride restrictions are in place for the safety of the rider. If your (grand)child isn't tall enough with their regular everyday shoes on then that ride is not for that child.

I second this! The restrictions are in place to keep the child safe. I don't recommend trying to overide a safety measure. If nothing else is a great reason to plan another trip when he is older!

I also agree with the PP who mentioned these rides were a bit much even for older children. My 7 year old went on Simpsons a few months ago and does not want to go back. The same with Spiderman, way to "jerky and in your face".

 

[tanyaandallie]

I totally agree that 2 inches is a lot of height to make up. I can understand fudging/buying taller shoes if child is almost there, but 2 inches really is no where close.

 

[lauradenise4779]

We had this happen to us. Years ago, my son was maybe 1/4 inch too short for a ride, if even that much. He's short (gets it from me!) but you literally couldn't fit your finger between the space. He'd had his heart set on riding, and because I had ridden the ride before and knew he would be OK, we fudged a little. Went to a bench, took his socks off, rolled them up and put them under his heels. Tennies went back on and we rode the ride no problem. Still his favorite ride to this day. You know your child better than anyone. If you think they are ready for the ride, then a little "fudge" might not be too bad. Two inches might be just a tad much, though.

 

[Natalie_89]

the simpsons ride jerks u about loads so if u got a headache or feel sick dont go on just then lol x

 

[Disneygirl26]

Heely's - just make sure to take the wheels out!

I agree we did last year at Universal when my son wanted to ride the hulk he was barely a inch too short came back the next day with the heely's on no problem. Also try sketchers seem to always have thick soles.

 

[tjmw2727]

I don't know about universal but I have seen WDW CM's ask kids with obviously high shoes to take them off for measuring. 2x girls with platform flip flops and once a boy with heelies.

I have also had a couple trips with one of our kids "just a smidge too short" IMHO there are enough other great rides, shows and such that most kids don't notice the one or two they can't ride.

With regard to the spiderman ride I would definately ride first and use caution with a preschooler. My kids were terrified the first time they rode and they were in the 6/7 age range.

TJ

 

[mjkacmom]

just to add, do not put him on anything that someone else in the group hasnt been on first. sure he may be tall for his age but it doesnt mean the ride is right for him. and yes he may enjoy the ride but 2 inches is still quite a bit to "fake".
if it were a short for age older kid its somewhat more understandable. but im guessing this is for your gs who will literally just be turning 3 on the trip. my 3.5 yo is a daredevil but theres still some 40 inch rides i wont let him on (dinosaur for example)

I took my 4 year old on dinosaur - what was I thinking?! He refused many rides after that, including Test Track, which he would've loved. Even though he wanted to go on Dinosaur, I should've said no.

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm not a big 'fudger" on rules, particularly those designed to keep my kids safe.

So my kids wear helmets when they're on wheels, or they don't ride. They are buckled up when they're in the car, even when it's not comfortable. They don't swim in the pool unless there's an adult on the deck watching.

And they don't go on rides they're not tall enough for. My youngest measured 43.5 inches last week at the pediatricians-- so I KNOW there are some 44" rides she won't be able to ride. Such is life. I'll miss them too and we'll have fun together while my husband rides with the other 2.

But I'm really not a fan of the "Do as I say but not as I do" style of parenting. If I want others to obey rules, I've got to teach my kids that the rules apply to them as well. And if I want Disney and Universal and other places to keep my kids safe, I've got to respect the rules they set in place to do so.

 

[everylastbreath]

Thanks for all who replied, We have all been on Spiderman, and your right, it is a very jerky ride, so we are re-thinking that one, the only other one we wanted to take him on was the Simpson, which we have never been on, but figuring it was a lot like Men In Black, (because it's the same building), didn't think it would be too much for him, since he loved Buzz Lightyear, MIB was very similar. Never even considered taking him on Dinosaur, that would scare him to death. We would never consider putting him on something that would scare him or put him in any danger, we have all been to Universal / WDW many, many times and know the rides very well. I appreciate the suggestion of Healey's (spelling?) but he would be more dangerous on them (with the wheels) than on any ride we could put him on.

We have already agreed that if he dosen't make any height restrictions, he is not going to care, we will take him back next year! and YES- he is turning 3 a couple of weeks after we get back from Disney trip! (Don't know who remembed that one! I guess I'm on these boards too much!) Thanks ALL!!